To fully understand what the "original" video is, you have to untangle three entirely separate viral phenomena that users frequently confuse when typing this phrase into search bars.

The Eels Soup Viral Video: Tracing the Origins of a Bizarre Internet Phenomenon

A deeper look into the of eel-based cuisines.

: The immediate, chaotic movement of the eels in the boiling liquid provides an intense visual anchor. This moment serves as the primary "hook" for the algorithm.

Can you get sick from this?

The original viral video commonly referred to as "eels soup" features a South Korean female TikToker and ASMR creator. In the video, she attempts to eat a live, writhing baby eel (often identified as glass eels or juvenile moray eels ) from a bowl of soup, believing it to be cooked. The eel suddenly moves violently, causing her to scream and recoil. The clip became a global meme in late 2022 / early 2023 due to its shocking, humorous, and horrifying nature.

A short video clip featuring a bowl of live, writhing eels being submerged into a boiling hot broth took over the internet, racking up tens of millions of views across TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Reddit. For days, timelines were flooded with reaction videos showing users gasping in horror, alongside heated debates about culinary traditions, animal welfare, and content moderation.

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Another "viral eel video" involves a 2016 Japanese advertisement that sparked international controversy for its bizarre personification of an eel. The Content

: Located on Mactan Island, this humble restaurant became a global sensation after being featured on Netflix's Street Food: Asia

Many users searching for the "original" video are actually looking for a controversial 2016 commercial from .

Not all viral eel soup videos are disturbing. Some are related to travel and food culture: Entoy’s Bakasihan

This version of the "eel soup" video is a notorious shock video that first gained infamy on sites like 4chan and Reddit.